Sweetspotting of the First Appraisal Campaign of Unconventional Resource Play in Kuwait

Narhari, Srinivasa Rao; Al-Ashwak, Samar; Kidambi, Vijaya Kumar; Al-Ajmi, Neema Hussain; Neog, N.; Rao, Jonna Dayakar; Makki, Musaed Yaseen; Narayan, Acharya Mihira; Fidan, Erkan; Dashti, Qasem; Darous, Christophe; Chakravorty, Sandeep; Miller, S. D.

doi:10.2118/167684-ms

Cited by 4 publications

References 3 publications

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A method for modeling multiscale geomechanical effects in the stimulated rock volume

Busetti

2021

Interpretation

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I present a workflow to efficiently simulate geomechanical effects in the stimulated rock volume or SRV by including regional geological structures such as faults and folds as well as high resolution oriented mechanical stratigraphy. The motivation is that the local model used for hydraulic fracture analysis should include macroscale three-dimensional geomechanical effects derived from regional tectonic and seismic data. A practical computational strategy is presented to link multiple 3D geomechanical models derived at different scales and their associated stress effects. I apply the workflow to a synthetic reservoir problem comprised of a tectonic scale structural framework model with three embedded mechanical stratigraphic models representing three stimulated vertical wells. I first combine regional stresses solved with 3D finite element analysis with perturbation stresses from elastic dislocation modeling using elastic superposition concepts. I then apply the macroscale stress effects as unique boundary conditions to an embedded finite element submodel, a mesoscale stratigraphic model representing the SRV, allowing for resolution of variable stress amplification and stress rotation in geologic sub-layers. Lastly, I conduct hydraulic fracture simulations within the SRV models. The simulated hydraulic fractures are controlled by structural position and mechanical stratigraphy. Closest to the back limb of the main structural anticline, hydraulic fractures tend to be height restricted, and in some realizations, fractures propagate horizontally. Adjacent to both the fold and a fault, where differential stresses are elevated, fracture growth is the most unconstrained in height and length. Results suggest this multiscale approach can be applied to better predict and understand behaviors related to unconventional reservoir stimulation. The workflow could easily be modified for other operational problems and geologic settings.

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A method for modeling multiscale geomechanical effects in the stimulated rock volume

Busetti

2021

Interpretation

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Direct TOC Quantification in unconventional Kerogen-rich Shale Resource Play from Elemental Spectroscopy Measurements: A Case Study from North Kuwait

Joshi

Acharya

Al-Azmi

et al. 2015

SPE Middle East Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition

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The deep organic-rich calcareous Kerogen of North Kuwait, a continuous 50ft thinly alternating carbonate -organic-rich argillaceous sequence, is not only a source rock but has gained importance as potential reservoirs themselves of typical unconventional category. Resource play or Kerogen characterization relies on quantifying total organic carbon (TOC) and estimating accurate mineralogy. This paper describes the first attempt to directly measure total organic carbon of the Limestone-Kerogen sequence.For the present study, empirical estimations of TOC have been carried out based on conventional log measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The introduction of a new neutron-induced capture and inelastic gamma ray spectroscopy tool using a very high-resolution scintillator and a new type of pulsed neutron generator for the deep unconventional kerogen resources have provided a unique opportunity to measure a stand-alone quantitative TOC value using a combination of capture and inelastic gamma ray spectra. In this process, Inorganic Carbon Content (ICC) is estimated by using elemental concentrations measured by this logging tool in addition to measuring Total Carbon, and this value is subtracted from the measured total carbon to give TOC.The advanced elemental spectroscopy tool measurements were first used to determine accurately the complex mineralogy of the layered carbonate and organic-rich shale sequence. Extensive laboratory measurements of core / cuttings data were used to calibrate the petrophysical evaluation and capture the heterogeneity seen on borehole image logs. The final analysis shows considerable improvements compared to conventional empirical estimation. Once the mineralogy is properly determined, the log-derived TOC matches very well with core measured TOC.This technique has provided a new direct and accurate log-derived TOC for Kerogen characterization. The application has a potential to be used for CAPEX optimization of the coring in future wells. This technique can also be applied in HPHT and High-angle horizontal wells, which can overcome challenging coring difficulties in horizontal wells.

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Lessons Learned from Established Unconventional Resource Plays: Application to Emerging Plays in the Middle East

Bromhead

Sutcliffe

Cousins

et al. 2020

Day 1 Mon, January 13, 2020

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The unconventional revolution in North America has firmly established unconventional resource plays as an integral component of global hydrocarbon production. The established North American resource plays are heterogeneous and vary considerably in terms of play type, stratigraphic organization, and the lithology of the target unit. The Middle East has several world-class source rocks that have charged giant and supergiant conventional fields, which implies many opportunities to develop unconventional resource plays. Within this study, the stratigraphic organization of two prolific source rock intervals within the Early Silurian (Qusaiba Member) and Middle-Late Jurassic (Tuwaiq Mountain Formation and equivalents) is characterized from public-domain data sets. From this, a variety of unconventional plays are conceptualized within these resource intervals. The systematic classification of established resource plays in North America facilitates analogue identification for these emerging resource intervals across the Middle East. The Montney play is identified as an analogue for the Silurian resource interval and can be used to help validate unproven unconventional play concepts. Within the Jurassic resource interval, multiple analogues are identified that characterize different aspects of the emerging unconventional play types. For instance, stratigraphic architecture within the emerging Tuwaiq Mountain shale play is comparable to the Vaca Muerta play of the Neuquén Basin in South America, while mineralogy is similar to that within the Eagle Ford play and porosity development is akin to the Marcellus play. Applying understanding from these analogues can enable more informed and efficient exploration, appraisal, and development decisions within these frontier and emerging Middle East resource plays.

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Sweetspotting of the First Appraisal Campaign of Unconventional Resource Play in Kuwait

Cited by 4 publications

References 3 publications

A method for modeling multiscale geomechanical effects in the stimulated rock volume

A method for modeling multiscale geomechanical effects in the stimulated rock volume

Direct TOC Quantification in unconventional Kerogen-rich Shale Resource Play from Elemental Spectroscopy Measurements: A Case Study from North Kuwait

Lessons Learned from Established Unconventional Resource Plays: Application to Emerging Plays in the Middle East

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